June 20: PREVENTION AND CORRECTION
‘This decision is by the decree of the watchers, And the sentence by the word of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, Gives it to whomever He will, And sets over it the lowest of men.’ Daniel 4:17
With this verse, the king concludes his relaying of the dream to Daniel. Let us consider these holy ones, these watchers. These heavenly beings work closely with God. They are observers and they are recorders. What a keen interest they take in human affairs! They are able to see plainly, as we mortals cannot, how unseemly such a thing as pride is in the human heart. As God’s ministers, they delight in the prevention of and the correction of evil. Each human needs to learn that he is not the architect of his own fortune, for it is the Most High [who] rules in the kingdom of men. Nebuchadnezzar will learn that, unless the LORD had permitted him, he would never have attained the position as king.
Scripture speaks of books (plural) in heaven that are opened (see Psalm 69:28; Daniel 7:10; Revelation 20:12). These recorded books are referenced in the final judgment, but for God’s faithful followers whose sins are forgiven, there is no fear in the judgment. This results from walking daily with the Lord, and going to Him for cleansing. Jesus said to Peter, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” (John 13:8) This is what it means to have your sins blotted out (Isaiah 44:22; Acts 3:19) of the record.
The visions of this dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar were only that—visions—at the time. They were graciously given as a warning against continuing in disregard of the Most High. Oh, yes, the king had repeatedly given verbal ascent to the superiority of Daniel’s God. But he desperately needed to make Daniel’s God his own God! Nebuchadnezzar continues: “This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar, declare its interpretation, since all of the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, “Belteshazzar, do not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its interpretation concern your enemies!” (vv.18-19)
Daniel and the king had an excellent relationship. This exchange makes it evident that the king’s confidence in the integrity of Daniel is unquestioned. Daniel had readily understood the meaning of the king’s dream. He was astonished and troubled, as the warning it contained was severe. The king encouraged Daniel to speak up, but Daniel found himself wishing that it would apply to someone else! The prophetic nature of this dream was conditional and therefore would happen only if the king did not change his course… It is also true that any of us on a correct path need to stay on it.
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness… Romans 11:22